The Register at Supreme Grand Chapter indicates that the
Mechanical Chapter No 457 was formed in 1817 and its
warrant was issued on the 4th April 1819. Prior to that
date the Mechanical Lodge (now Duke of Normandy) had worked
the Royal Arch degree within the Craft Lodge. Unfortunately
the records of the original Chapter are lost, and we are
left with just a few entries in the Craft Lodge minute
books.
Only nine companions were exalted in 1819 and 1820 and
there was a gap of twenty-two years before a further five
exaltations took place. There was then a further gap of
four years, before the Chapter started to receive a regular
flow of work. There is evidence that the Chapter was
working to the primitive Irish Rite, with only one
Principal - the High Priest, and using the ceremony of
passing the veils.
The support for the Chapter was not sufficient for it to
maintain a separate existence, and in April 1860 it merged
with the Royal Sussex Chapter No 722.
But by 1925 the Royal Sussex Chapter had over 125 members,
so there was a need to form an additional Chapter. It was
decided to resurrect this Chapter and fourteen members of
the Duke of Normandy Lodge signed the petition. The
founders were nearly all drawn from the Royal Sussex
Chapter.
Meetings: First Monday in February, April (Installation),
June and October
Scribe E - E.Comp S.J.Regal Tel 01534.482429
email:S.Regal
Past First Principals